CN104641217B - Flow cytometer - Google Patents

Abstract

Flow cytometer comprising: the optical subsystem based on laser diode, for light beam to be incident on to the particle by observation area；Compound microscope object lens, for being collected and being imaged to by the light of the KPT Scatter by observation area and the fluorescence of sending；Fluid subsystem, for liquid sheath stream to be supplied to observation area；Peristaltic pump, for the liquor sample stream for carrying particle for passing through observation area together with liquid sheath stream to be injected into liquid sheath stream；Multimode fibre receives the fluorescence for scattering and issuing from observation area collected and be imaged by compound microscope object lens；And wavelength division multiplexer, for will optically be separated into color band via the received light of optical fiber institute.

Description

Flow cytometer

Technical field

The disclosure generally relates to the technical field of flow cytometry, and more particularly, to improved flow cytometer Structurally and operationally together with each independent component being included therein.

Background technique

Flow cytometry is the biological object used in cell count, sorting, biological marker analyte detection and protein engineering Technology of science.In flow cytometry, the cell being suspended in liquid stream passes through electron detection device.Flow cytometry allows per second Carry out the multi parameter analysis of physically and/or chemically characteristic simultaneously to up to some thousand of cells.

Flow cytometry, which has, is included in molecular biology, pathology, immunology, phytobiology and marine biology neck Multinomial application in domain.Flow cytometry in medicine (especially in transplanting, hematology, tumor immunology and chemotherapy, antenatal examine Disconnected, science of heredity and in the sperm sorting of gender pre-selection) also have a wide range of applications.In marine biology, photosynthesis The autofluorescence characteristics of planktonic organism can be formed by flow cytometry for characterizing population density and group.In protein engineering In, flow cytometry is used in combination with yeast display and bacteria display, so as to identify with required property in cell surface exhibition The protein variants shown.A kind of common modification of flow cytometry is the physics point that the property based on particle carries out particle Choosing, to purify group of interest.

Entire flow cytometer systems include following main component.

1. the liquid stream of flow cell, commonly referred to as sheath stream, sheath fluid or sheath fluid carries cell or particle simultaneously by flow cell Cell or particle fluid dynamics are aligned, so that cell or particle uniline pass through flow cell.

2. measuring subsystem, be coupled to flow cell, detection passes through the cell or particle of flow cell, and usually it is following it One:

A. impedance or conductivity measurement subsystem；Or

B. optical illumination subsystem is together with optical sensing subsystem.

3. conversion subsystem, the output signal for being used for measurement subsystem in future is converted into the accessible number of computer According to.

4. computer is used to analyze by conversion subsystem data generated.

Optical illumination subsystem provides the light beam that collimation then focuses, and usually the laser of single wavelength, is incident on logical It crosses in the liquid stream of flow cell by fluid dynamics focused.Therefore, flow cytometer systems can have one or more light sources, It may include:

1. one or more lamps, such as mercury lamp or xenon lamp；

2. one or more high power water-cooled lasers, such as argon, krypton or dye laser；

3. the air-cooled laser of one or more low-power, such as argon (488 nanometers), HeNe (red -633 nanometers), HeNe (green) and HeCd (UV)；And/or

4. one or more diode lasers (blue, green, red and purple).

Optical sensing subsystem includes one or more detectors, aims at the ground that the flow liquid focused passes through the light velocity Side.This detector can include:

1. with the consistent detector of beam direction (forward scattering device or FSC)；

2. perpendicular to the detector (lateral scattering device or SSC) of light beam；With

3. fluorescence detector.

The light is scattered by each suspended particles of light beam, and by it is incident it is light activated be present in it is in particle or attached In particle fluorescent material transmitting ratio lambda1-wavelength more long wavelength light.(each fluorescent emission is directed in each detector Peak respectively has one) at detection and analysis scattering light and the combined brightness change of fluorescence allow to derive You Guan each independent particle Physics and chemical structure various information.FSC is related with cell volume.Since light is scattered off the internal part of cell, SSC depends on the inside complexity of particle (that is, the number amount and type of the shape of nucleus, cytoplasmic granules or cell membrane is coarse Degree).Some flow cytometers save fluorescence detector and only detect scattering light.Other flow cytometers form the glimmering of each cell The image of light, scattering light and transmitted light.

The conversion subsystem of flow cytometer systems generally includes one or more analogue-to-digital converters (" ADC ") use In the data for being converted into then being handled by computer by the output signal for measuring subsystem, the conversion subsystem may include It can be one or more amplifiers linearly or logarithmically.

Modern flow cytometer generally includes a laser in up to four (4) and several fluorescence detectors.Increase laser and The quantity of detector allows to mark cell with several different antibody, and can be by its phenotypic marker come more accurately Identify target group.Certain instruments even can capture the digital picture of independent cell, to allow to intracellular or cell table It is analyzed the position of fluorescence signal on face.

Sample irradiation

In most of instrument, the concerned particle of such as haemocyte or microballoon is by utilizing fluid dynamics focusing Sheath stream is carried in the observation area inside cuvette or injection stream, and is irradiated at this by the laser beam focused.The technology mentions It has supplied accurately to identify concerned particle and a kind of means to the particle counting, without by except registion time window The background noise of appearance floods (practical flow cytometry, Howard M.Shapiro, Willie (2003) ISBN 0471411256).In order to improve detection sensitivity, the cross section for focusing laser beam is usually ellipse, short-and-medium axle along Flow direction.In order to keep threshold value integrality, laser profile must have the smooth or bell profile along flow direction.For A kind of common methods for generating this light beam are, using by prism or cylindrical lens to made beam expander along flow direction The circular Gaussian beam thin-long that will almost collimate, is then focused light beam with spherical lens.Because light beam is in focal point Shape be spatial Fourier transform of the light beam at far field, this generate gaussian-shape ellipse light spot, short-and-medium axle is along flowing side To.

Conventional laser is expensive, volume is big and power consumption.Recently, laser diode (" LD ") can be used.With Conventional laser is different, and LD of new generation has cost-effectiveness, compact-sized and energy saving, and is compact biomedicine instrument of new generation Device presents huge prospect.LD transmitting has the light of oval cross section, wherein the transverse of commonly referred to as fast axle is vertical In the connector of LD, and the ellipse short shaft of commonly referred to as slow axis is parallel to the connector of LD.Regrettably, the especially edge of typical LD The beam quality of its fast axle is very undesirable, to make it that can not be widely accepted in the application of flow cytometry.

In principle, the quality of LD light beam can be significantly improved by space filtering.If small-sized pin hole or single mode optical fiber are located at The focal point of lens, so that its spatial model that can only receive lowest-order, then will be close by the light beam of pin hole or single mode optical fiber Like perfect gaussian shape.Light beam as the U.S. Patent Publication of serial number 5,788,927 can flow through cell instrument It is collimated and extends on direction, and be finally focused into Elliptic gaussian beam, short-and-medium axle is along flow direction.Regrettably, The diameter of pin hole is restricted to less than 5 microns by the size of desk-top instrument.The fibre core size of visible wavelength single mode optical fiber also has Similar size.It prepares precise space filter and its challenge of its long-time stability is maintained to not only increase swashing based on LD The cost of photosystem, and also reduce its reliability.

Recently, the possible other wave caused by being dedicated to reducing because of the edge effect of the finite numerical aperture of collimation lens During valve, the United States Patent (USP) (" patent of ' 019 ") of serial number 6,713,019, which is disclosed, rotates through 90 degree (90 °) for LD, makes It obtains its slow axis and is parallel to flow direction.Then the beam diffusion section of such as concave surface cylindrical lens is introduced, so as to perpendicular to The collimated light beam is diffused on the direction of flowing, be subsequently introduced such as spherical focusing lens beam and focus formed section, so as to Elliptical spot is formed in the particle observation area of cell instrument.As being described in detail in the patent of ' 019, area is formed in hot spot Laser beam after section is unusual astigmatism.Specifically, perpendicular to the width of light beam at observation area on flow direction Can with the width of traffic channel quite or greater than the traffic channel width.This not only lowers the laser being incident on particle Therefore the amount of energy simultaneously reduces signal strength, while also increasing the unexpected backscatter from liquid stream Cellular interfaces.It takes Generation rotation LD, the U.S. Patent Publication of serial number 7,385,682 and 7,561,267 use large-numerical aperture non-spherical lens It is collimated for LD.But such design cannot correct edge effect intrinsic in LD beam profile.Therefore, at present to be suitable for There are demand, can reliably generate has closely along its short axle simple optical system used in flow cytometer based on LD Gaussian shape and the focusing ellipsoidal shaped light beam along its long axis with one fixed width.

Observation area

Micro objective

Modern flow cytometer includes spatial filter, and it typically is mechanical pin hole or big doped core optical fibers, is located at object lens Picture position to prevent unexpected bias light from entering in the detector of cell instrument.Since particle rests on cell instrument Several microseconds in observation area, it is therefore necessary to using the micro objective with large-numerical aperture to maximize collection efficiency.In order to prop up Hold multiple excitation laser beams being spatially separated in flow cytometer, such as United States Patent (USP) in serial number 4,727,020 Disclosed in as, it is also desirable to using have more wide-field object lens.In order to realize these targets, serial number 6,510,007 With 7, a kind of objective lens design of 110,192 U.S. Patent Publication, as the optical element near sample, it makes use of have The modified apochromatic lens close to packaged lens of gel coupling or epoxy resin bonding, it is then multiple concave-convex lens. Although this micro objective provides satisfactory numerical aperture and the visual field, they significantly sacrifice picture quality, thus:

1. limiting effective use of spatial filter；And

2. showing not good enough bias light discernment.

In addition, this refractive micro objective volume is big, preparation cost is expensive, and typically exhibits serious color difference. In order to overcome these limitations, Patent Cooperation Treaty (" PCT ") patent application of the serial number WO 01/27590 of announcement discloses base In the alternative objective lens design of spherical concave mirror.This design provides large-numerical aperture and along the good image matter of optical axis Amount.However, such design is not particularly suited for having multiple laser beams being spatially separated due to its poor off-axis characteristic Flow cytometer.

Sheath fluid supply

The performance-critical of flow cytometer depends on stable liquid sheath stream.Specifically, it is spatially separated with multiple Excitation laser beam or the flow cytometer for executing drop sorting depend on the constant speed of liquid sheath stream so as to Timing Synchronization.Such as Disclosed in the United States Patent (USP) of serial number 5,245,318, traditional flow cytometer is mentioned by using the fluid system of air hermetic For stable liquid sheath stream, the system:

1. applying constant air pressure in sheath fluid storage tank fluid forces are passed through the flow cell；Or

2. passing through flow cell from sheath fluid storage tank withdrawn fluid using vacuum pump.

These system bulks are big, and preparation cost is expensive, and is easy to appear failure.Recently, serial number 8,187,888 U.S. Patent is disclosed including sheath fluid subsystem and useless sheath fluid pump, and the sheath fluid subsystem is by liquid sheath stream from sheath fluid storage tank It is pumped into observation area, useless sheath fluid is pumped into waste liquid tank by the useless sheath fluid pump from observation area.While it seem that institute is public The sheath fluid subsystem opened never uses in speed critical flow cytometer, but the patent report, disclosed sheath fluid Subsystem overcomes most of defects of conventional sheath liquid flow stability by following:

1. damping pump surging by positioning following apparatus:

A. a fluid capacitor between sheath fluid pump and flow cell；And

B. another fluid capacitor between flow cell and waste drains pump；And

2. pump controller, operation makes a response pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor measures the flow cell Pressure difference between entrance and exit.

Disclosed sheath fluid subsystem has other limitations.For example, the pressure for being located at the flow cell near exit passes Sensor may be potential pollution sources.

Peristaltic pump

Liquid sample supply

Peristaltic pump is positive displacement pump, wherein one group of roller linearly or circularly moved compresses compressible tube gradually with by fluid It is forced through pipe.Peristaltic pump be especially widely used in pumping it is clean/aseptic or corrosive fluid, to avoid exposed pump group The cross contamination of part.

Pulsation is presented when roller is rolled off the pipe near pump discharge every time for traditional peristaltic pump, expands back into its original by compressed pipe When beginning shape caused by the temporary increase of tube capacity product.It is unexpected for pulsing in the application for needing smooth flow.In the past Many trials have been carried out to reduce pulsation.For example, the United States Patent (USP) of serial number 3,726,613 and 3,826,593 describes External pressure is synchronously applied to the expansion that pipe is compensated on pipe by cam-operated push rod.In serial number 4,834,630 In United States Patent (USP), the more root canals being mounted in segmented roll are bonded together by T shape connector in pump intake and exit, thus Pulsation from each pipe can be reduced by average.The United States Patent (USP) of serial number 7,645,127 proposes a kind of pumping line, It has slightly larger internal diameter in entrance so that the decompression of the pipe near pump discharge by entrance large volume pipe Compression is to compensate.Various methods or significant the complexity for increasing peristaltic pump, or reducing the limited use in pulsation effect.

Multicolor fluorescence detection

A variety of multicolor fluorescence detecting instruments such as flow cytometer (practical flow cytometry, Howard M.Shapiro, Willie (2003) ISBN 0471411256) in, the fluorescence that is issued from concerned object:

1. being collected by micro objective；

2. passing through small-sized pin hole or multimode fibre reimaging；

3. subsequent collimationization is simultaneously separated into multiple color bands；And

4. finally by two pole of such as photomultiplier tube (PMT), PIN photodiode or avalanche optoelectronic

Manage the photodetector detection of (APD).

PMT is substantially a kind of electron tube of specific type.The device volume in this " preceding-semiconductor age " is big and high It is expensive.In addition, it is with poor quantum efficiency and than the spectral response based on the less reproducibility of silicon systems semiconductor detector, It is especially especially true near infrared light spectrum region in biologically important feux rouges.In spite of one's failings, PMT still has excellent Noise characteristic.For example, the dark current of typical 13 millimeters of PMT (for example, R9305 from Japanese Hamamatsu company) is only about 1nA.In comparison, even if the dark current that its active area is reduced to 1/20th, APD of PMT active area will be PMT dark current 10 times or more.Therefore, PMT has become the low-level light detection actually in many Commercial opticals detection flow cytometer Device.Only events incidence is lower and dark current can pass through certain scientific applications of expensive photon counting technique difference In, PMT is just substituted by APD detector.(size of reference, high-throughput flow cytometry DNA fragmentation is worked out, A.V.Orden, R.A.Keller and W.P.Ambrose, Anal.Chem., 2000,72 (1), p37-41).Recently, it was also proposed that use Geiger model Substitute of the APD array as PMT.(for example, the more pixel photon counters and love of Japan Hamamatsu Photonics The solid state photomultiplier pipe of your orchid SensL Inc.).But these detectors also have high dark current and under high incident rates and are Nonlinear defect.

APD widely accepted unique industry is in optical communications.It is known that if the active area of APD be reduced to it is small In 1mm2, then corresponding dark current can be reduced to level identical with PMT.In optical communications, light is to come from swashing for single mode optical fiber Light beam.This light beam can be then focused by easily collimation to the region more much smaller than 1mm2.It should be pointed out that being examined in fluorescence Colour esensitized equipment used in instrument is surveyed (as described in the United States Patent (USP) of serial number 6,683,314 and bibliography therein It is almost identical as wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) being widely used in optic communication like that) in function and structure, such as in serial number As described in 4,482,994 and 5,786,915 United States Patent (USP).It prevents to use small area APD in fluorescence detection equipment Prime reason be well known etendue conservation theorem: the fluorescence by pin hole or multimode fibre is expansion light source, tool The etendue of laser beam of some etendues than coming from single mode optical fiber is hundreds times big.Therefore, as shown in Figure 26, remove Non- beam diameter is significantly extended, and otherwise it cannot be collimated under extended distance.Regrettably, beam diameter is bigger, then The technological challenge for focusing of the light beam into a small light spot is bigger.Due to can only economically complete effective color separation with collimated light beam, Therefore the APD of small area is considered infeasible to multicolor fluorescence detection application.Obviously, it can be collimated under extended distance The light beam of larger etendue and indistinctively to extend the technology of beam diameter will be ideal.This technology will so that The device of similar WDM can be used in fluorescence detection, have the characteristic to compare favourably with low-noise semiconductor detector.

Summary of the invention

Present disclose provides improved flow cytometers together with the various improved components being included therein.

Purpose of this disclosure is to provide a kind of simple reliably based on the optical system of diode laser, can pass The focusing laser beam of elliptic cross-section is sent, which has the Gauss shape along its short axle for flow cytometry optimizing application Intensity distribution and one fixed width along long axis.

The purpose of the disclosure is image quality micro objective, easily fabricated, has long reach, big numerical aperture Diameter, the big visual field and the smallest color difference.

The purpose of the disclosure is the simple fluid system for flow cytometer, not only reliable, compact-sized, be easy to Manufacture, and can support the application of speed critical, such as with multiple excitation laser beams being spatially separated Application in instrument or in drop classifier.

The purpose of the disclosure is the simple designs of peristaltic pump, can provide the pulse free liquid flow of high expectations.

Purpose of this disclosure is to provide a kind of peristaltic pumps with minimal ripple.

Purpose of this disclosure is to provide a kind of manufacture and peristaltic pumps easy to operate.

Purpose of this disclosure is to provide a kind of devices, and the light from expansion light source can be collimated under extended distance Beam, the diameter without significantly extending the light beam.Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a kind of wdm system, uses institute Device is stated so that the light beam is separated into multiple color bands.Moreover, it is an object that being detected with low-noise semiconductor Such compatible wdm system of device.Further, since the diversity of fluorescence probe, the object of the present invention is to provide reconfigurable Such wdm system.

Disclosed herein is a kind of flow cytometers comprising:

1. the optical subsystem based on LD is used to for light beam to be incident on the particle by observation area；

2. compound micro objective is used to receive the light of the KPT Scatter by observation area or the fluorescence of sending Collection and imaging；

3. fluid subsystem is used to liquid sheath stream being supplied to observation area；

4. peristaltic pump is used to for the liquor sample stream for carrying particle being injected into liquid sheath stream, the liquor sample stream Pass through the observation area together with liquid sheath stream；

5. multimode fibre receives collected compound microscope object lens and the light scattered from observation area being imaged and sending Fluorescence；And

6. wavelength division multiplexer is used to optically be separated into color band via the received light of optical fiber institute.

According to the disclosure for irradiating the optics subsystem based on LD of the particle by the flow cytometer observation area System generally includes:

1. laser diode is parallel to flow direction with its slow axis as orientation；

2. collimation lens, by the collimated light beam of the divergent beams conversion ovalisation from LD, long axis is perpendicular to stream Dynamic direction；

3. focus lens system reduces the laser beam at the observation area on the direction perpendicular to flow direction To optimum width；And

4. last high magnification cylindrical focusing element, is set near the observation area, axis is perpendicular to flowing side To.

LD is in the observation area along flow direction along the far field profile transposition of its slow axis by high magnification cylindrical focusing element Its Fourier conjugation at place, while lateral beam profile is maintained, so that the laser beam profile at observation area is best suited for streaming Cell art application.

It is generally included according to the compound microscope object lens of the disclosure:

1. concave surface spherical mirror；

2. transparent aberration compensation plate

Wherein the observation area of flow cytometer is between spherical mirror and compensating plate.The scattering of particle emission in observation area Light and fluorescence are collected by spherical mirror and are reflected back towards compensating plate.Optical aberration from spherical mirror passes through the compensation in light It is significantly reduced after plate.In one embodiment of the present disclosure, observation area is located at small by the rectangular glass with small rectangular channel Inside flow cell provided by cup, the liquid for carrying particle flows through the channel.Concave mirror is by such as glass or optics matter The optically transparent material for measuring the plano-convex exterior shape of plastics is made, and has high reflector coating internal anti-for carrying out on convex side It penetrates.The planar side gel of mirror couples or is bonded to a side surface of cuvette.Plano-aspheric compensating plate is by such as glass or light The plastic transparent material for learning quality is made, and planar side gel couples or be bonded to the opposite side of cuvette.The mirror of plano-convex exterior shape and non- The compensating plate of spherical surface can also be integrally formed with cuvette.In another embodiment of the disclosure, observation area is located in injection stream, Wherein both concave mirror and compensating plate are independently of observation area, and the mirror is preferably front surface concave mirror.

Sheath fluid storage tank is generally included according to the fluid system of the disclosure, and liquid pump is from wherein aspirating sheath fluid.Sheath fluid then from Liquid pump flows to the entrance of T-type connector.The one outlet arm of T-type connector is connected to bypass, by the sheath fluid pumped Sub-fraction returns to sheath fluid storage tank, and the sheath fluid returned is flowed into the air in sheath fluid storage tank.The second of T-type connector Outlet arm is connected to sheath path comprising storage tank container is followed by particle filter followed by flow cell.It is then departed from flow cell Sheath fluid enter in waste liquid tank.It is designed to along the fluid resistance of bypass lower than the fluid resistance along sheath path.Cause This, only sub-fraction sheath fluid passes through flow cell.It is to be noted that the typical sheath flow velocity in flow cytometry application is Tens milliliters per minute.Therefore bypass allows liquid pump using high flow velocities, not only cheaper, more reliable, but also can be It is operated under the higher ripple frequency more easily to decay.Since the outlet of bypass path is into air, large-scale stream is also served as Bulk capacitor, to substantially reduce the pulsation in the sheath fluid along the flowing of sheath path.In operation, filter element Intake section is filled with air.Therefore, which also serves as fluid capacitor, and being used for further will be in the flow cell Pulsation in the sheath fluid at place is reduced to negligible level.Due to the larger fluid resistance at flow cell, filtering The air that device filtration cartridge inlet nearby retains is compressed.If liquid pump is closed, in the filter core that is pushed back towards sheath fluid storage tank Compressed air is stored in the optional storage tank container of size, to prevent retained air from reaching T shape connector.

Multiple rollers at the periphery of rotor and compressible tube, the rotor are generally included according to the peristaltic pump of the disclosure Keep roller mobile in the shell annular of arc-shaped bend track and the roller against the track compresses compressible tube.? In one embodiment of the disclosure, the track of wriggling pump case has a recess portion, to move through institute when one of each roller When stating recess portion, compressible tube is gradually decompressed to complete expansion, is then compressed to and is closed completely.The location and shape of recess portion will be kept The total liquid volume in compressible tube from recess portion to pump discharge is substantially constant.When roller moves through the pump discharge, pipe expands The effect opened is compressed by pipe when compressing section for being moved to recess portion when another different roller immediately in pump discharge upstream To compensate.In another embodiment of the disclosure, the track of pump case may include multiple recess portions, to provide pump discharge upstream Multiple rollers come gradually correct the pipe in multiple sections along compressible tube compression.Devise position and the shape of multiple recess portions Shape, so that the modification that the pipe at these sections compresses substantially compensates the effect caused by the enlargement of pipe near pump discharge. In another embodiment of the disclosure, other than in entrance and exit section, compressible tube keeps complete below roller Closure.Variable speed motor is used for transfer tube.When roller reaches the exit zone, the rotation of motor is accelerated by program to compensate State the expansion of pipe.

At least two optical elements are generally included according to the wavelength division multiplexer (" WDM ") of the disclosure.First optics member Part collimation the received light beam from expansion light source, such as from pin hole or from the light of multimode fibre.First optical element Amplify such as expansion light source as defined by the fibre core as pin hole or multimode fibre to similar to the first optical element The image of effective cross section size, to form the light beam of collimation between the first optical element and its image.Second optics Element is located near image, and relays the first optical element, wherein being one along optical path enlargement ratio.In this way, Second optical element doubles the path length of collimation.With the additional light under the configuration of identical 1:1 image relay It learns element also to be included in the disclosure, with the further optical path for extending collimation.The Cascaded amplification multiplying power of the disclosure is One image relay structure provides the significant length for extending collimating optics path without big beam spread.Therefore, light is logical Well known WDM technology can be easily useful in fluorescence detection in letter industry.Particularly, multiple color bands present in light beam It can be used along the dichroic filter of optical path positioning and separate, wherein separated light is closely focused into and low noise The compatible small light spot of light detecter for semiconductor.

In one embodiment of WDM, the first optical element is lens and the second element is concave mirror, still It is obvious to the skilled person that other types of refractiveness and/or reflective optical also can be used Component realizes identical design object.Similar to its corresponding part in optic communication, optical path in the WDM of the disclosure Dichroic filter can be used to fold.In one embodiment of the present disclosure, optical path is folded into zigzag arrangement.It is preferred that Ground, in order to promote reliably reconfiguring for flow cytometer, each dichroic filter is bonded to mechanical holder, has Optically it is parallel to the reference surface on filter reflection surface.Therefore, the optical filter of all WDM can be by reference to against shared The retainer of the optical filter of optical flat and exactly along optical path position.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, filtered by the collimated light beam of dichroic filter using secondary dichroism Device is further branched off into multiple color bands.It is readily apparent that dichroic filter for those skilled in that art It can be from anywhere in being inserted into along long and narrow collimated light beam path as provided by the relay imaging of the disclosure, to permit Perhaps tight focus light beam is transmitted to photodetector using various optical arrangements, it is such as special in the U.S. of serial number 6,683,314 Star like arrangement described in benefit, branch configuration and optical communications industry described in the United States Patent (USP) of serial number 4,727,020 In broad practice of other types of WDM optical arrangement.Instead of concave mirror, WDM can be replaced by curved surface dichroic filter, with into One step increases the number by the selected color band of WDM.

From following detailed description of the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, these and other feature, purpose and Advantage will be should be readily appreciated that or obviously for those skilled in the art.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 is the view for schematically showing the preferred embodiment of the flow cytometer according to the disclosure comprising:

A) the optical illumination subsystem based on LD；

B) light issued from the optical illumination subsystem based on LD compound microscope object lens incident thereon, it is described micro- Endoscope objective lens have the fluid flow passageway formed through it, and wherein particle-irradiation observation area is located inside its cuvette；

C) fluid system is used to for the sheath fluid stream of pulse free being supplied to by being formed by through compound microscope object lens Fluid flow passageway；

D) peristaltic pump is used to for the pulse free liquid sample stream for carrying cell or particle to be analyzed being introduced by fluid In the liquid sheath stream that system is supplied；And

F) wavelength division multiplexer (" WDM ") has the zigzag for splitting a beam into multiple and different color bands Configuration, WDM receive light via optical fiber, when cell or particle by the fluid flow passageways of compound microscope object lens and wherein by When the light emitted from the optical illumination subsystem based on LD irradiates, the light is from cell or KPT Scatter.

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram for showing fast axle and slow axis that light emits from it for describing exemplary high power edge-emission LD.

Fig. 2A shows the typical far field profile of the laser beam emitted from LD chip shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 A shows the optical illumination subsystem based on LD of the conventional, prior art for flow cytometer together with being The 3-D view of the flow cell of system.

Fig. 3 B show its focal point inside the flow cell of the system by the cell of laser beam shown in Fig. 3 A or The typical time period correlation profile diagram for the light that particle is scattered.

The optics based on LD that Fig. 4 A is across the prior art that flow through the liquid of fluid flow passageway, alternative shines The front view of subsystem configuration is penetrated, with an improved the beam profiles of its focal point in flow cytometer systems observation area.

Fig. 4 B is the prior art alternative shown in along the liquid for flowing through fluid flow passageway, Fig. 4 A The plan view of optical illumination subsystem based on LD.

Fig. 5 A, which is across, flows through facing for the liquid of the fluid flow passageway of compound microscope object lens shown in Fig. 1 Figure, wherein the slow axis of the LD is orientated transverse to liquid flow.

Fig. 5 B is along the plane for flowing through the liquid of the fluid flow passageway of compound microscope object lens shown in Fig. 1 View, wherein the slow axis of the LD is orientated transverse to liquid flow.

Fig. 5 C shows the cell or grain from flow through the fluid flow passageway of compound microscope object lens shown in Fig. 1 The typical time period correlation profile diagram for the light that son is scattered.

Fig. 6 is suitable for according to the perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the optical illumination subsystem based on LD of the disclosure It is used in flow cytometer systems of the liquid jet by observation area.

Fig. 6 A is the enlarged perspective of the alternate embodiment of the optical illumination subsystem based on LD, is illustrated in greater detail Flow through the liquid jet of observation area.

Fig. 7 be according to the disclosure be suitable in flow cytometer systems used in the optical illumination subsystem based on LD The perspective view of alternate embodiment, the slow axis of LD are parallel to the fluid for flowing through compound microscope object lens shown in Fig. 1 The flow direction of circulation passage is orientated.

Fig. 8 is to be suitable for compound microscope object used in flow cytometer systems shown in Fig. 1 according to the disclosure The perspective view of mirror, the compound microscope object lens have is formed by fluid flow passageway therethrough, and wherein particle-irradiation is seen Cha Qu is located in cuvette therein.

Fig. 9 A is the sectional front view along the compound microscope object lens taken of the line 9A-9A in Fig. 8 comprising from Ray tracing of a position being spatially separated in three (3) to object lens imaging plane in area, the transmitting of signal scattering and fluorescence It propagates.

Fig. 9 B1-9B3 is for a photoemissive position being spatially separated in three (3) shown in Fig. 9 A close to Fig. 9 A Shown in the plane of delineation hot spot figure.

Figure 10 is the alternate embodiment of the compound microscope object lens for being similar to view shown in Fig. 9 A according to the disclosure Sectional front view comprising from a position being spatially separated in three (3) in observation area therein to object lens imaging plane Ray tracing, signal scattering and fluorescence transmitting propagate.

Figure 11 is to be suitable for compound microscope object used in flow cytometer systems shown in Fig. 1 according to the disclosure The alternate embodiment of the perspective view of the another alternate embodiment of mirror, the compound microscope object lens has institute's shape therethrough At fluid flow passageway, in the cuvette that wherein particle-irradiation observation area is located therein.

Figure 12 is to be suitable for compound microscope object used in flow cytometer systems shown in Fig. 1 according to the disclosure The perspective view of the another alternate embodiment of mirror, the alternate embodiments of the compound microscope object lens be suitable for being located at Fig. 6 and Observation area inside injection stream shown in Fig. 6 A.

Figure 13 is compound aobvious according to used in being suitable in the observation area being located in microscope slide surface of the disclosure The perspective view of another alternate embodiment of objective.

Figure 14 is according to the stream for being used to for stable liquid sheath stream being supplied to flow cytometer flow cell shown in the disclosure The schematic diagram of body subsystem comprising:

1. being located at the small-sized vessel between sheath fluid pump and flow cell；And

2. the particle filter between small-sized vessel and flow cell；

Particle filter and small-sized vessel are provided which the air reservoir for damping pump surging.

Figure 15 is to show the schematic diagram of the alternate embodiment similar to the fluid subsystem in Figure 14, uses certain length Pipe replace small-sized vessel in order to provide air reservoir.

Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B are histograms, will be when the intake section of particle filter has and is trapped in air therein (Figure 16 A) and when sheath fluid pump flow cell between fluid subsystem in there is no air when (Figure 16 B) in flow cell The measured particle flight time is compared.

Figure 17 is to show the roller, pipe and surrounding pump case of pump according to the perspective view of three roller peristaltic pumps of the disclosure.

Figure 18 A to Figure 18 D shows the simplification view of several states of three roller peristaltic pumps shown in Figure 17, at central roll In different positions.

Figure 19 is the detailed longitudinal sectional view of the pipe of peristaltic pump that compresses of the roller segment pumped ground.

Figure 19A and Figure 19B is along the detailed of the length of tube for being orthogonal to peristaltic pump taken of the line 19A and 19B in Figure 19 Cross-sectional view shows pipe and by roller segment compresses.

Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B are the roller of pump observed by the circle coordinates shown along pump and the schematic diagram of pipe, so as to show by Pulse free provided by peristaltic pump.

Figure 21 be show when roller is rolled off the exit zone of compressible tube relative to roller position functional relation figure:

1. the total volume of the liquid in the outlet half portion of pump；And

2. the volume of the liquid in following sections of pump:

A. recessed section；And

B. exit zone.

Figure 22 is the simplified plan view according to the four-roller peristaltic pump of the disclosure.

Figure 23 is the simplified plan view according to six roller peristaltic pumps of the disclosure.

Figure 24 A is the three roller peristaltic pumps for showing the minimum pulsation of the rotor with programmable rate according to the disclosure The longitudinal sectional view of roller and compressible tube.

Figure 24 B is the three roller peristaltic pumps for showing the minimum pulsation of the rotor with programmable rate according to the disclosure Simplified plan view.

Figure 24 C is the figure for showing the peristaltic pump minimum pulsation of the rotor shown in Figure 24 B with programmable rate:

1. the negative volume change relative to roller position；

2. spinner velocity；And

3. the flow velocity of pump.

Figure 25 is the exemplary six port wavelength division multiplexer using zigzag arrangement shown according to the disclosure The figure of the ray tracing of (" WDM ").

Figure 26 is the figure for showing the ray tracing of prior art collimator apparatus, shows the limit of the device in collimation expansion light source System.

Figure 27 is according to the saturating of six port WDM embodiments of the combination using zigzag arrangement and branch configuration of the disclosure View.

Figure 28 is the perspective view according to another embodiment of WDM with concave surface dichroic filter of the disclosure.

Figure 29 A and Figure 29 B are to show to construct replaceable dichroic filter according to the disclosure for reconfigurable WDM The perspective explanatory diagram of the assembling process of sub-assembly.

Figure 29 C is the perspective of the replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly of the view building of 9A and Figure 29 B according to fig. 2 Figure.

Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B are the perspective views for showing the WDM according to the disclosure, and showing will be replaceable shown in Figure 29 C Dichroic filter sub-assembly is installed in WDM and removes it from WDM.

Specific embodiment

Flow cytometer

Fig. 1 shows the overall flow cytometer identified with appended drawing reference 40 according to the disclosure.Flow cytometer 40 includes:

1. the optical subsystem 50 based on LD；

2. compound microscope object lens 60；

3. the fluid subsystem 70 for supplying liquid sheath stream；

4. peristaltic pump 80, it is used to for the liquor sample stream comprising particle to be analyzed being injected into and is supplied by fluid subsystem 70 In the liquid sheath stream answered, the liquor sample stream is focused by the liquid sheath stream fluid dynamics for flowing through observation area, wherein multiple It closes the acquisition of micro objective 60 and is imaged by the light scattered of the particle in observation area and/or the fluorescence of sending；

5. optical fiber 852 receives as collected by compound microscope object lens 60 and what is be imaged is dissipated by the particle in observation area The fluorescence of the light and/or sending penetrated；

6. wavelength division multiplexer 90 (" WDM 90 "), be used for optical treatment from the 852 received scattering light of institute of optical fiber with/ Or fluorescence.

Optical subsystem 50

Optical subsystem 50 includes LD 501, and as being shown specifically in Fig. 2, the LD 501 is from its edge-emission Divergent beams.As illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 2 and 2A in figure, divergent beams have elliptic cross-section facial contour, It is with long axis that is, fast axle and short axle that is, slow axis.The divergent beams emitted from LD 501 are irradiated on collimation lens 502, institute It states collimation lens 502 and the divergent beams emitted by LD 501 is converted into the collimated light beam with oval cross section.Although It is not required, but optical subsystem 50 may also include optional reflecting mirror 503, be oriented the elliptical beam that will be collimated It is guided towards compound microscope object lens 60.Plano-convex lens 504 near the compound microscope object lens 60 shorten ellipse The long axis of round light beam passes through the observation in compound microscope object lens 60 perpendicular to the liquor sample and surrounding liquid sheath stream The direction in area and be orientated.In the observation area, the width of oval-shaped beam:

1. the width for flowing through the direction of the observation area perpendicular to liquor sample stream is preferably slightly smaller than liquid sheath stream Width；And

2. it is still sufficiently wide, so that the particle in sample stream flows through oval-shaped beam at the maximum intensity of light beam Near flat portion.

According to the disclosure, it is evident that plano-convex lens 504 can be by other classes for those skilled in that art The optical element of type replaces, the combination of such as achromatic doublet or spherical lens, cylindrical lens and/or prism pair.It can replace Dai Di, mirror surface 503 and lens 504 can also be replaced by concave mirror.For the Polarization-Sensitive application of flow cytometer stream 40, The optional polarization adjustment element of such as half-wave plate) light beam that lens 504 are extended to from collimation lens 502 can also be placed on It collimates in section.Finally, light beam is by being located at the high magnification cylindrical lens 505 at neighbouring observation area before through observation area. As shown in fig. 1, the axis of cylindrical lens 505 flows through the direction of the observation area perpendicular to liquor sample stream and is orientated, And the focal length of the cylindrical lens 505 generates the tight focus of beam short-axis at observation area.

The advantages of optical subsystem 50 is relative to traditional optical subsystem based on LD can be in Fig. 2 and 2A more clearly See.Suitable for most of commercially available laser diode used in flow cytometer from its edge-emission light beam.Such as institute in Fig. 2 Show, the gain section 509 of such LD chip 510 is greatly limited in the transverse direction as indicated by arrow 511.Therefore, In order to obtain high-output power LD, manufacturer often sacrifices beam quality, especially along the transverse direction for being parallel to the orientation of arrow 511 Or fast axis direction.Fig. 2A shows this feature of the light emitted from LD, wherein multiple caused by being limited gain Line 512 is high-visible at the far field on the short-axis direction of beam emitted.It should be pointed out that occurring in the diagram of Fig. 2A Striped 512 contain only the sub-fraction of light beam gross energy, therefore traditional M- squares of characteristic of corresponding beam profile is influenced not Greatly.However, it is as follows discuss in further detail as, striped 512 really to the performance of conventional flow cytometer have it is unfavorable Influence.Alternatively, it is more put along the gain limitation of the slow-axis direction for the edge-emission LD being orientated perpendicular to arrow 511 Pine.Therefore, as shown in Figure 2 A, far field beams profile is more smooth along the slow axis of LD light beam.

Fig. 3 A shows traditional optical subsystem based on LD for flow cytometer.Shown in Fig. 3 A with Fig. 1 Shown in those of the shared element of optical subsystem 50 have an identical appended drawing reference, but with apostrophe (') indicate and be distinguish.Such as Shown in Fig. 3 A, the fast axle of LD 501 is parallel to liquor sample stream and flows through the observation area by traditional optical subsystem Direction is orientated.In its simplest configuration, the oval-shaped beam profile of LD 501' is direct by spherical focusing lens 504' It is transferred in observation area.During attempting to obtain focus on light beam optimal aspect ratio, a variety of different traditional light based on LD Storage subsystem further includes the beam-shaping optical element shown in Fig. 3 A other than those.

Striped 512 along the fast axle of the LD 501' for traditional optical subsystem configuration adverse effect in figure 3b Shown in significantly show in light scattering time section.Due to scattering or fluorescence intensity and the local laser function being incident on particle Rate is directly proportional, thus flow through along liquor sample stream observation area direction beam profile in any fine structure will go out Now in the time section of the signal as produced by flow cytometer.This structure in time section with as produced by small particles Signal cannot be distinguished, therefore will lead to flow cytometer erroneous trigger and mistakenly identify particle.In addition, striped 512 also will Lead to the uncertainty in the measurement of other cell instrument parameters, the area and width of pulsation shown in such as Fig. 3 B.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B show the another of the fluidic cell application being used for based on LD disclosed in the aforementioned patent of ' 019 Prior art optical subsystem.It is those of shared first with optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 3 A shown in Fig. 4 A and 4B Part has an identical appended drawing reference, but with double apostrophes (") indicate and be distinguish.As shown in Figure 4A and 4B, by making LD 501 " slow axis is parallel to liquor sample stream and flows through the direction of the observation area to be orientated, light shown in Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B Storage subsystem is efficiently against as described above by the problem caused by striped 512.Regrettably, it is placed in spherical surface in Fig. 4 A and 4B Condenser lens 504 is " before to diffuse the light beam in the direction that flows through the observation area perpendicular to the liquor sample stream Beam diffusion element 513 " generates the height astigmatic bundle close to observation area.Specifically, by the astigmatism at the observation area Property light beam focused on the direction that liquor sample stream flows through the observation area increase it is logical perpendicular to the flowing of liquor sample stream The width of light beam in the direction of the observation area is crossed, so that width of light beam becomes analogous to or be even wider than sheath stream.Therefore, Fig. 4 A and Optical subsystem shown in Fig. 4 B not only reduces the light energy on the particle for being incident on and flowing through observation area, and optics Subsystem also increases the unexpected light scattering at interface between the adjacent component from liquid sheath stream and compound microscope 60.

Fig. 5 is emphasized between the optical subsystem and optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 1 disclosed in the patent of ' 019 Main difference.Replace as shown in Figure 4 by non-planar beam diffusion element 513 " be placed in spherical surface beam focusing lens 504 it Before, it is shown as the high magnification cylindrical lenses 505 of cylinder plano-convex lens globally 504 rear of beam focusing lens in Fig. 5 A and 5B Light beam setting, and it is preferably arranged side by side with compound microscope object lens 60.As shown in Figure 5A and 5B, cylindrical lens 505 is by light beam Short-axis focusing is in observation area, while the long axis for retaining light beam is held essentially constant.Therefore, shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B Optical subsystem 50 established at observation area one ellipse beam profile, include

1. the tight focus short axle across combined liquor sample stream and sheath stream；And

2. the smooth short axle profile on combined liquor sample stream and sheath stream direction, for along LD

The Fourier of the far field beams profile of 501 slow axis is conjugated.

Meanwhile as shown in Figure 5 B, nonplanar width of light beam is not influenced by cylindrical lens 505.Fig. 5 C shows use The time section that the flash ranging that optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B is scattered from fine particle obtains.For carry out The LD 501 of measurement shown in Fig. 5 C and the time measured for generating the scattered light of slave fine particle shown in figure 3b Used LD is identical during section.As shown in Figure 5 C, by striped 512 caused by the other wave along 501 fast axle of LD The performance of valve no longer flow cytometer 40 generates any materially affect.

Fig. 6, which is shown, is suitable for the another alternative based on diode laser of flow cytometer according to the disclosure Optical subsystem.Phase is had with those of the shared element of optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 1,5A and 5B shown in Fig. 6 and 6A With appended drawing reference, but indicated and be distinguish with three apostrophes (" ').In addition to there is the observation area of no compound microscope object lens 60 Except, optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 6 A and 6B " ' almost the same with optical subsystem shown in Fig. 1,5A and 5B, because It is appeared in the injection stream 519 of free-flowing for it, the injection stream 519 includes the sample stream sprayed from nozzle 518 and sheath stream The two.Therefore, the optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 6 A and 6B " ' configuration for, high magnification cylindrical lens 505 is from position It is separated in the observation area in injection stream 519.

In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure shown in Fig. 1,5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, short axle, that is, slow axis of LD 501 hangs down The direction of the observation area directly is flowed through in the liquor sample stream and is orientated.However, for those skilled in that art and Speech will be apparent using alternative optical arrangement, and long axis, that is, fast axle of LD 501 can be perpendicular to the liquor sample stream Flow through the direction of the observation area and reorientation.Fig. 7 show this alternate configuration of optical element one shows Example.Those of shared with optical subsystem 50 shown in Fig. 1,5A, 5B, 6A and 6B element shown in fig. 7 is with identical attached Icon note, but be distinguish with four apostrophes (" ") mark.As shown, the slow axis of LD 501 " " is orientated in a z-direction.From LD The light beam of 501 " " transmitting then then rotates to the direction y in face by the reflecting mirror 523a and 523b of a pair of 90 degree (90 °).? In the diagram of Fig. 7, the normal of the first oval-shaped beam reorientation reflecting mirror 523a with relative to x-axis at 45 degree (45 °) Angle is orientated in x-y plane, and the normal of the second oval-shaped beam reorientation reflecting mirror 523b with relative to z-axis line at The angle of 45 degree (45 °) is orientated in y-z plane.

Compound microscope object lens 60

Fig. 8 shows the reality for being directed to compound microscope object lens 60 shown in Fig. 1,5A, 5B and 7 according to the disclosure Apply example.As shown in Figure 8, observation area is imaged in compound microscope object lens 60, and the observation area is located in small sized flow channel 604 Prismatic glass cuvette 603 in, flow channel 604 preferably have rectangular cross-sectional shape, carry the combined liquid of particle Sample stream and sheath stream pass through the flow channel 604.It is excellent including the plano-concave back-surface mirror 601 in compound microscope object lens 60 Select the optically transparent material system with the refractive index similar to glass cuvette 603 by the plastics of such as glass or optical quality At.In order to reduce light loss to the maximum extent, back-surface mirror 601 includes flat front surface, and optics is coupled to prism The adjoining flat surfaces of shape cuvette 603.The optics coupling of back-surface mirror 601 to cuvette 603 can be using index-matched Gel, optical adhesive or direct optics bonding.Alternatively, back-surface mirror 601 can also be whole with cuvette 603 Formed to property.

Compound microscope object lens 60 further include plano-aspheric corrector plate 602, it is also preferred that by have such as glass or The optically transparent material of the refractive index similar to glass cuvette 603 of the plastics of optical quality is made.In order to reduce light loss, school The flat surfaces of positive device plate 602 can be coupled to optics prismatic cuvette 603 its with back-surface mirror 601 diametrically One side on adjoining flat surfaces on.The optics coupling of corrector plate 602 to cuvette 603 can be using the solidifying of index-matched Glue, optical adhesive or direct optics bonding.Although according to disclosure anti-reflective coating not to compound microscope object lens 60 Compulsory Feature, the farthest non-spherical surface of the range calibrator plate 602 of corrector plate 602 can have anti-reflective coating To reduce light transmission loss.The shape of the non-spherical surface of corrector plate 602 is similar to the shape of classical Schmidt's camera (Schmidt, B., Mitt.Hamburg Sternwart7 (36), 1932).As well known to those skilled in that art that Sample, the corrector plate of Schmidt's camera includes round differential gap, wherein the corrector plate will not will pass through the light of the plate Deviate.In order to use in compound microscope object lens 60, on the outside of the differential gap of corrector plate 602, the plate thickness is most herein Thin, corrector plate 602 has negative light multiplying power, while corrector plate 602 has positive light multiplying power on the inside of differential gap.The aspheric The exact shape of face corrector plate 602 easily can pass through city using any by anyone with common skill in the art The ray tracing tool fetched obtains.It is to be noted that in flow cytometer 40, as shown in Fig. 1,5A, 5B and 7 The not adjacent rear surface in two (2) faces that flow channel 604 passes through cuvette 603 of beam orthogonal caused by optical subsystem 50 is anti- It penetrates (1) face for mirror 601 or corrector plate 602 and enters in cuvette 603.

Fig. 9 A shows the ray tracing result of the embodiment of compound microscope object lens 60 shown in fig. 8.In Fig. 9 A Scattering that is shown, being emitted from a position being spatially separated in three (3) in the flow channel 604 close to 603 center of cuvette And fluorescence:

1. propagating initially toward back-surface mirror 601 to carry out internal reflection by back-surface mirror 601；

2. then passing through cuvette 603 first；

3. then passing through Aspherical corrector device plate 602；And

4. eventually forming a discrete picture in three (3) close to the plane of delineation 605.

It is to be noted that the ray for passing through compound microscope object lens 60 shown in Fig. 9 A is almost optical-quality homogeneous, with And corrector plate 602 is passed through to approach normal incidence in the light that the center close to cuvette 603 is issued.Therefore, this is compound aobvious Objective 60 introduces seldom dispersion in the light emitted close to 603 center of cuvette.

In addition, being well known that in astrophysics educational circles, Schmidt camera provides fast coke ratio and has close to diffraction limit Optical property the big ken unmatched combination.The magazine major defect of traditional Schmidt is that imaging surface is located at Instrument internal.For compound microscope object lens 60, close to 603 center of cuvette light with traditional Schmidt's camera direction phase Anti- side upwardly propagates, therefore imaging surface is located at the outside of the compound microscope object lens 60.Therefore, the disclosure can be completely sharp With the optical property of Schmidt's camera without being limited.Fig. 9 B1 to Fig. 9 B3 shows the observation in flow channel 604 The hot spot figure close to the plane of delineation 605 of a luminous position in three (3) in area, 150 microns separated from one another of three positions.Figure The diameter of all images shown in 9B1 to Fig. 9 B3 is both less than 35 microns.

Observation area in the flow channel 604 of the compound microscope object lens 60 shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 A passes through aspherical The light of corrector plate 602 emitted is subjected to a small amount of color difference.Figure 10 is shown according to the disclosure shown in 1,5A, 5B and 7 Compound microscope object lens 60 alternate embodiment.Shown in Figure 10 with compound microscope object shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 A Those of the shared element of mirror 60 has an identical appended drawing reference, but with apostrophe (') indicate and be distinguish.Rear surface in Figure 10 is anti- The shape slightly modified of mirror 601' and aberration corrector plate 602' are penetrated to generate close to the observation area in the flow channel 604' Luminous position collimation without focus image.In Figure 10, compound microscope object lens 60' further includes being inserted into corrector plate 602' Chromatically compensated doublet 609 between plane of delineation 605'.In addition to the light emitted from corrector plate 602' is focused on Except on plane of delineation 605', which is also used to further decrease introduced by Aspherical corrector device plate 602' Remaining color difference hits.

The flat surfaces of corrector plate 602 are not necessarily meant to optics and are coupled to cuvette 603.Figure 11 shows answering for the disclosure Close the alternate embodiment of micro objective 60.It is total with compound microscope object lens 60 shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 A shown in Figure 11 Those of have element with identical appended drawing reference, but with double apostrophes (") indicate and be distinguish.Figure 11 is shown from cuvette 603 " Optics decoupling aberration corrector plate 602 ".Although for compound microscope object lens 60 " operation for be not required, In order to improve light transmissioning efficiency, the exposed flat face of corrector plate 602 " two surfaces and cuvette 603 " can have anti-reflective Coating.It should be understood that corrector plate 602 shown in Figure 11 " is maintained at by mechanical support unshowned in Figure 11 Relative under the fixed relationship of back-surface mirror 601 and cuvette 603.It is compound aobvious similar to what is be respectively shown in Fig. 9 A and 10 Objective 60 and 60' can be configured to offer finite focal distances with isolated corrector plate 602 " compound microscope object lens 60 " Image, or without focus system, the system focuses on limited distance by increasing Chromatically compensated doublet 609 in turn The plane of delineation.

Figure 12 shows the another alternate embodiment of compound microscope object lens 60.Shown in Figure 12 and in Fig. 8,9A and 11 Shown in those of the shared element of compound microscope object lens 60 have an identical appended drawing reference, but indicated and be subject to three apostrophes (" ') It distinguishes.Compound microscope object lens 60 shown in Figure 12 " ' be suitable for collecting what the injection stream 519 sprayed by nozzle 518 carried The scattering and fluorescence that cell or other microcosmic particles are emitted.Compound microscope object lens 60 " ' the preceding table including concave surface spherical shape Face reflecting mirror 610 and aberration correction plate 612.Front surface mirror 610 can have height by glass or in its concave surface 611 The other types of hard material of reflective coating is made, or by having the metal of polishing concave surface 611 to be made.Similar to school Positive device plate 602, plano-aspheric corrector plate 612 is made of the thin slice transparent material of the plastics of such as glass or optical quality. Non-spherical surface can be formed on the either side of corrector plate 612.Preferably, although not being corrected according to this coating of the disclosure Two surfaces of the Compulsory Feature of device plate 612, the corrector plate 612 are each coated with anti-reflective coating to reduce optical transport Loss.It should be understood that front surface mirror 610 and corrector plate 612 are protected by mechanical support unshowned in Figure 12 It holds under fixed relationship relative to each other.From the cell or other types of microcosmic particle in the observation area in injection stream 519 The scattering and fluorescence emitted is reflected by the concave surface 611 of front surface mirror 610.Due to the reflection from concave surface 611 Caused aberration is corrected after light passes through corrector plate 612 by corrector plate 612.For those skilled in that art Should be understood that compound microscope object lens 60 " ' can be configured to provide the finite focal figure for being similar to image shown in Fig. 9 A Without focus image, the collimation passes through the color for being similar to doublet 609 shown in Figure 10 without focus image for picture or collimation Difference correction doublet and focus on apart from compound microscope object lens 60 " ' limited distance at.

Figure 13 shows the modification of compound microscope object lens 60, so as to the surface for being fixed on transparent substrate such as glass slide On sample be imaged.It is those of shared first with compound microscope object lens shown in Fig. 8,9A and Figure 11 60 shown in Figure 13 Part has identical appended drawing reference, but is distinguish with four apostrophes (" ") mark.Compound microscope object lens shown in Figure 13 60 " " included a optical element in two (2), and one is the plano-concave made of the transparent material of the plastics of such as glass or optical quality Back-surface mirror 617 and aberration corrector plate 618.As shown in Figure 13, sample to be imaged is fixed to transparent usual It is the front surface 615 of glass slide 616.Glass slide 616 is it is preferable to use the thin layer of fluid of index-matched and after optics is coupled to The flat surface of front-surface mirror 617.The scattering emitted by sample and fluorescence:

1. initially propagating through glass slide 616 and back-surface mirror 617；

2. passing back through glass slide 616 by 617 internal reflection of back-surface mirror；

3. then passing through corrector plate 618；And

4. being finally located at beyond formation image at the plane of delineation at corrector plate 618.

Fluid subsystem 70

Figure 15 shows the fluid subsystem 70 according to the disclosure comprising sheath fluid storage tank 702 and from sheath fluid storage tank The liquid pump 701 of 702 suction sheath fluids.Liquid pump 701 can be diaphragm pump or peristaltic pump or piston pump or any kind of Continuous fluid pump.The outlet of liquid pump 701 is connected to entering from the T-type connector 703 of the liquid pump 701 reception sheath fluid Mouthful.T-type connector 703 has a outlet in two (2), and first outlet therein is connected to by-pass line 710, for that will be joined by T-type Connect device 703 from liquid pump 701 received sheath fluid sub-fraction back to sheath fluid storage tank 702.It will be by T-type connector 703 from liquid pump 701 the sub-fraction of received sheath fluid to return to sheath fluid storage tank 702 a for following two (2) to return Reason is advantageous.

1. as shown in fig. 1, bypass duct 710 is open in surrounding air, and effectively damping pulsation, thus significantly subtracts Intrinsic pulsation in few operation of liquid pump 701.

2. by by T-type connector 703 from liquid pump 701 received sheath fluid sub-fraction return to sheath fluid storage tank 702 also significantly reduce the flow of liquid pump 701, thus allow in flow cytometer 40 using relative to high flow rate, at This low pump.

The flow resistance of by-pass line 710 is denoted as " r " and will be led to from T-type connector 703 to the flowing of cuvette 603 The flow resistance in the path in road 604 is denoted as " R ".Reach the output resistance of sheath pump then are as follows:

Due to R > > r_i, therefore the performance of liquid pump 701 is controlled by the resistance of by-pass line 710, by-pass line 710 Hydrodynamic property be temperature-insensitive.Therefore, the configuration of fluid subsystem 70 shown in Figure 15, which also provides, is used for Realize the simple mechanisms of the temperature-insensitive sheath liquid stream of flow channel 604.

As shown in Figure 15, the second outlet of T-type connector 703 is connected to flow channel 604, and flow channel 604 is preferred First via small-sized storage tank vessel 704, cuvette 603 then is extended through via filter element 705.As shown in Figure 16, About 4 feet long of one section of pipeline 704' may replace small-sized storage tank vessel 704.In the initialization procedure of fluid subsystem 70, Some air can be trapped in filter element 705 in its neighbouring inlet, and as shown in Figure 15, which is located at filter filter The top that core 705 exports.The air being trapped in filter element 705 is used as additional fluid capacitor, is discharged into stream The pulsation in sheath fluid in dynamic channel 604 is effectively lowered to negligible level.Due at flow channel 604 Larger fluid resistance, the air being trapped in filter element 705 are compressed.When liquid pump 701 is closed, it is trapped in filtering Air in device filter core 705 is similar to discharge capacity device by dynamic towards T-type connector 703 to pushing back.If without small-sized storage tank device Ware 704, some air being discharged from filter element 705 are since its low fluid resistance reaches bypass manifold 710, and once Liquid pump 701 is again started up then will be except the air push to fluid subsystem 70.If not additional air supply, this The case where sample, will repeat, until most of air is purged away from fluid subsystem 70, so that filter element 705 loses it Until validity as pulsation damper.Therefore the purpose of small-sized storage tank vessel 704 or one section of pipeline 704', which are to provide, is used for The storage tank that filter element 705 is isolated from bypass manifold 710, it is ensured that although there are repeat switch operations for liquid pump 701, cut The air stayed in filter element 705 is held in fluid subsystem 70.

Close to the entrance of filter element 705 entrapped air damping of pulsation effect shown in Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B It is high-visible in histogram.Figure 16 A is shown to be flowed when a pocket of air is trapped within close to the entrance of filter element 705 The particle flight time measured at channel 604.Figure 16 B show when the air of retention purges away from fluid subsystem 70 The particle flight time measured at flow channel 604.The result is that using interval shown in the histogram of Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B What a knife-edge laser beam in two (2) that about 200 microns of the immediate vicinity in flow channel 604 focuses obtained.Figure 16 A and figure Trunnion axis in 16B is the flight time that particle is spent from a laser beam to another laser beam, by record with away from The mode of 90 degree of excitation beam (90 °) is measured from the peak value arrival time of the light of the KPT Scatter.In both cases, Mean time of flight for the particle across two laser beams is identical.As shown in fig. 16, when filter element 705 When retaining some air, two laser beams of all particles spans spend the time of about the same amount.If filter element 705 is not Retain air, as illustrated in figure 16b, the distribution of flight time not only broadens, but also becomes bimodal.In other words, certain particles It takes less time to cross over two laser beams, and other particles spend the time for being longer than time-averaged amount, this phenomenon can Easily due to the velocity fluctuation of the sheath fluid at flow channel 604.

In up to the present discussed embodiment of the disclosure, along bypass manifold 710 and T-type connector 703 Fluid resistance between flow channel 604 is nonadjustable.As apparent to those skilled in the art, The current limiter of such as fixed limiter or adjustable valve 711,711' and 712,712' can be advantageously interposed to bypass manifold 710 Between interior and T-type connector 703 and flow channel 604, to allow to adjust the flow velocity for passing through flow channel 604.Alternatively, Liquid pump 701 can be used also to adjust in the speed that sheath fluid flows through flow channel 604, and the liquid pump 701 is by can be changed Fast Brushless DC motor driving.

Peristaltic pump 80

Figure 17 shows one embodiment according to the peristaltic pump 80 of the disclosure.The pump includes: with arc-shaped bend track 808 shell 809；It is attached to three rollers 810,811 and 812 for the rotor 816 that can be rotated in shell 809；And it is folded in Compressible tube 807 between the compressible tube 807 and roller 810,811 and 812 of shell 809.As in Figure 18 A to Figure 18 D schematically Illustrated by, the periphery of the roller 810,811 of peristaltic pump 80 and 812 surrounding rotors 816 be separated from each other, separate or separate The angular distance being essentially equal.For simplicity, it is assumed that in following discussion, which is rotated counterclockwise, but should What is understood is to discuss the peristaltic pump for being applied equally to rotor clockwise rotation.The compressible tube 807 of shell 809 is divided into Several sections:

1. the opening section between points 801 and point 806, compressible tube 807 does not compress herein；

2. the pump intake section between points 801 and point 802, herein when roller when the section rolls compressible tube 807 by by Step compression is until being closed completely；

3. two pumping sections between points 802 and point 803 and between point 804 and point 805, compressible tube 807 herein It is closed completely by roller；

4. the recessed section between points 803 and point 804, wherein when roller rolls through the recessed section from point 803 to point 813 Expansion when, compressible tube 807 gradually expands to complete opening from being closed completely；

5. then when roller rolls through the compression section from point 813 to the recessed section for putting 804,807 quilt of compressible tube It gradually reduces to being closed completely；And

6. the exit zone between points 805 and point 806, herein when roller rolls through the section compressible tube 807 from It is closed completely and gradually expands to complete opening.

In other words, when roller is counterclockwise rolled from entrance 801 to exit point 806, between the inside of compressible tube 807 Gap:

1. complete open from from point 801 gradually decreases to being closed completely at point 802, and remains closed until point 803；

2. then gradually extension returns to a little complete opening at 813；

3. then taper into being closed completely at 804 points, and closure is maintained until roller reaches a little 805；And

4. finally gradually extension returns to a little complete opening at 806.

It is compressible with solid line that gap size inside compressible tube is illustrated schematically as circle of dotted line in Figure 18 A to Figure 18 D Spacing between pipe 807.As shown in Figure 18 A to Figure 18 D, in the embodiment of peristaltic pump 80, point 801 and 803, point 802 Angular distance, interval 813, between point 813 and 805 and between point 804 and 866 or spacing and adjacent roller between angle It is identical.Therefore, when roller 810 rolls through the pumping sections from point 804 to point 805, as shown in Figure 18 A to Figure 18 B, Its interaction between compressible tube 807 determines the fluid flow rate of peristaltic pump 80 completely.Once 810 point of arrival 805 of roller And the exit zone between 806, as shown in figure 18 c, the compressible tube 807 of 810 lower section of roller starts gradually extension and gap Start to increase.Meanwhile roller 811 reaches the compression section of recessed section and starts the compressible tube 807 that gradually reduces.In peristaltic pump 80 In, the shape along the compression section of the recessed section between point 813 and point 804 of compressible tube 807 is such, so that The compression of the compressible tube 807 below roller 811 in the compression section by the recessed section between point 813 and point 804 pushes away The liquid volume of submitting has been substantially filled with by the compressible tube 807 below the exit zone central roll 810 between point 5 and point 6 Volume caused by extending.In the meantime, compressible tube 807 is in the lower section of two rollers 810 and 811 for fractional open and in roller 12 lower sections are to be closed completely.Therefore, pump action is mainly transmitted by roller 12.Specifically, due to putting 13 and point 6 by design Between the compressible tube 807 section in total liquid volume keep substantially constant in this period, therefore shown in Figure 18 C In the state of, the flow velocity of the peristaltic pump 80 keeps substantially the same with the flow velocity under state shown in Figure 18 A and Figure 18 B.One Denier roller 810 passes through point 806, then the pumping sections between 811 point of arrival 804 of roller and point 805.Pay attention to roller 810,811 and 812 it Between without physical difference, therefore the flow velocity of peristaltic pump 80 keeps substantially constant in the whole process.

If observed along the round coordinate for following roller to move, it can be more clearly understood that the pulse free of the disclosure is wriggled The mechanism of pump.Referring to Fig.1 9, V is expressed as out of, the compressible tube 819 of nearest roller 820 that export to closure compressible tube 819 The fluid volume in portion, i.e. Fluid Volume represented by the shadow region 818 by shown in Figure 19.Obviously, V depends on the angle position of roller 20 The pipe decrement δ for setting θ and being applied by the roller in all other downstream.

V=V (θ, δ₁, δ₂...) and (1)

Therefore, the flow rate F and V of peristaltic pump_cTime-derivative it is related as the following formula:

R is the rotation speed and subscript multiple downstream rollers for identification of rotor herein.First item table on the right side of equation (2) Show the contribution from the roller for being closed pipe.Partial derivativeIndependently of θ.Sum term is indicated from the partial shrinkage compressible tube The contribution of 819 all other downstream rollers.Present Δ S hypothesis is that compressible tube 819 passes through cross-sectional area caused by roll compaction Variation, and L is the length of tube that the managed compression of its cross-sectional shape influences.Then for those skilled in the art obviously Know that L is directly proportional to pipe compression δ, and Δ S and its square of δ²It is directly proportional.Therefore, because the fluid caused by the pipe compression of roller Volume delta V is lost in accordance with equation (3):

ΔV∝L·ΔS∝δ³=(D-G)³ (3)

Wherein D be compressible tube internal diameter and G be Figure 19,19A and 19B shown in minimum clearance, Figure 18 A extremely It is also indicated by the spacing between circle of dotted line and the solid line compressible tube 807 of shell 809 in Figure 18 D.0A and 20B referring now to Fig. 2, In round coordinate system, Figure 20 A corresponds to the state of pump shown in Figure 18 A and Figure 18 B.During this period, at roller 810' No roller is swum, therefore the sum term in equation (2) disappears.The state of pump shown in Figure 20 B corresponding diagram 18C.Compressible tube 807 are closed by roller 12' and are partly compressed by roller 810' and 811'.But the volume introduced by two rollers 810' and 811' Variation substantially cancels each other out.Therefore, the sum term in equation (2) also disappears.Therefore, the flow velocity of peristaltic pump 80 is kept substantially It is constant, and it is unrelated with the position of roller.

The shape for meeting the compressible tube 807 of above-mentioned requirements can be derived easily from equation (3).8C referring to Fig.1, such as The compression section G of recessed section of the fruit between point 813 and point 804_13,4In and point 805 and point 806 between outlet area Section G_5,6In arc compressible tube 807 gap in accordance with equation:

(D-G_13,4)³+(D-G_5,6)³=D³(4) then the total fluid volume in two sections keeps substantial constant, such as Figure 21 Shown in.In peristaltic pump 80, the shape of pump case 809 is symmetrically, so that the entrance of pump case 809 relative to its center line Half portion is the mirror image of the outlet half portion of shell 809, as shown in 17 in figure.Therefore peristaltic pump 80 can be counterclockwise with what is seldom pulsed Direction and right handed mode are operated, but it is to be understood that symmetry is not to realize according to the disclosure Necessary to pulse free peristaltic pump.As long as example, the section G between point 13 and point 3_13,3In and point 2 and point 1 between Section G_2,1In arc compressible tube 807 gap in accordance with equation (5):

(D-G_13,3)³+(D-G_2,1)³=D³ (5)

When rotor 816 is rotated clockwise, the pulsation of very little will be shown according to the peristaltic pump of the disclosure.

Figure 22 shows the alternate embodiment of the peristaltic pump according to the disclosure.Shown in Figure 22 and shown in Figure 17 Those of the shared element of peristaltic pump 80 has an identical appended drawing reference, but with apostrophe (') indicate and be distinguish.Peristaltic pump 80' packet Include a roller 822,823,824 and 825 of compressible tube 807' and four (4) with a recess portion 820 and 821 in two (2).In Figure 22 Shown in embodiment, the fluid volume loss caused by the pipe extension close to pump discharge is by close two 820 Hes of recess portion The combined effect of the compression of 821 roller 822 and 823 pair compressible tube compensates.

Figure 23 shows the another alternate embodiment of the peristaltic pump according to the disclosure.Shown in Figure 23 with institute in Figure 17 Those of the shared element of peristaltic pump 80' shown in the peristaltic pump 80 and Figure 22 shown has an identical appended drawing reference, but with pair Apostrophe (") mark be distinguish.Peristaltic pump 80 " including a roller in six (6) and tool there are two recess portion 818 " and 819 " arc can press The draw 807 ".In peristaltic pump 80 " in, since the fluid volume caused by extending close to the pipe of pump discharge loses by immediately in close The effect of the roller of one recess portion 818 " or 819 " upstream of pump discharge compensates.

Close to wriggling pump discharge compressed compressible tube extension caused by pulsation can also by have can The peristaltic pump of spinner velocity is programmed to overcome.Figure 24 A to Figure 24 C, which is shown, to be used for according to the disclosure for three roller peristaltic pumps By the related fields of the alternate embodiment of the mechanism of peristaltic pump minimum pulsation.As shown in Figure 24 B, in pump intake and pump out What the track 828 between the section of mouth region was of a generally circular or rounded.Therefore, such as by between circle of dotted line 829 and the curved continuous lines of track 828 Every shown, compressible tube by each roller of a roller 826,827 and 829 in three (32) of pump between pump intake and pump discharge completely Closure.Figure 24 A schematically shows the roller position of peristaltic pump shown in Figure 24 B in round coordinate system.Because that will manage There is only a rollers in the downstream of the roller of closure, therefore equation (2) significantly simplifies:

Pipe compression δ (θ) conclusivelys show as the function of roller position θ herein.Every expression fluid volume in bracket is opposite Change rate in roller position.First item is the contribution from the roller for being closed pipe, that is, the roller 827 in Figure 24 A, and Section 2 For the contribution of the roller in exit zone.Pay attention to according to definition, when there is no roller in exit zone, the volume change It is negative, and the Section 2 in bracket disappears.Dashed curve in Figure 24 C is the negative volume change relative to roller position Representativeness is drawn.When roller is rolled off close to the pipe of pump discharge, since pipe extension leads to the protuberance along curve, for The cause pulsed in the conventional peristaltic pump of constant rotor speed.However, for the peristaltic pump shown in Figure 24 A to Figure 24 C, Variation synchronous with rotor-position, and the change with fluid volume are set to the spinner velocity R shown in dashed curve in Figure 24 C Rate is inversely proportional.Therefore, the flow rate pump as the product of spinner velocity and fluid volume change rate is kept constant, such as in Figure 24 C It is shown in solid at top.Notice that the items in the bracket of equation (6) are uniquely determined by the mechanical structure pumped.Therefore rotor Velocity profile can be generated easily according to equation (3) by the shape of track 828.For those skilled in that art, have Many modes realize programmable rotor, such as use stepper motor or DC servomotor.

WDM device 90

Figure 25 shows the exemplary six port wavelength division multiplexer (" WDM ") using zigzag arrangement of the disclosure Ray tracing.As shown in Figure 25, the facet of the multimode fibre through needle passing hole or from all optical fiber as shown in figure 1 852 is emitted Fluorescence forms extension object or light source in the light input end that position 901 is WDM 90.Object size is by pinhole diameter or multimode light The diameter of long and slender core limits.The core diameter of the actual size or multimode fibre that pay attention to pin hole is measured with millimeter, and is compared Under, the diameter of single mode optical fiber is measured with micron.Therefore, the etendue of fluorescent light source is defined as beam size and dissipates with it The product at angle is hundreds times bigger than its correspondence etendue in optical delivery.According to etendue conservation theorem (Julio Chaves, Introduction to Nonimaging Optics, CRC Press, 2008 [ISBN978- 1420054293]), the light from this extended source can only be very limited apart from interior guarantor similar to the light from flash lamp Collimation is held, especially when the diameter of collimating part is necessary for minor diameter.

As shown in Figure 25, source 901 is come from for the collimation optics capture of achromatic doublet 902 in this case Light, and near whole condenser lens 905 projective object enlarged drawing.Image size near 905 is kept and collimating optics Effective size of element 902 is roughly the same.Therefore, the light beam propagated between lens 902 and lens 905 is effectively collimated. As shown in figure 25, as long as keeping small enlargement ratio, for example, being less than about 10, then simple simple lens 905, collimated light beam are utilized Can easily be focused into a hot spot, the hot spot be less than by WDM 90 the received light beam in 901 place of position hot spot.By light beam The ability for focusing on such small size allow for the semiconductor detector of small area to be placed at the focus 906 of condenser lens 905 with Just effective light detection is carried out.

It is inserted into the dichroic filter 903 that inclination angle is orientated close between collimation optics 902 and lens 905 In optical path like middle position.It is surplus in simultaneously the reflected beams that dichroic filter 903 passes through color band of interest Remaining colored light is for use in being further processed in WDM 90.Optional bandpass filter 904 can be plugged into dichroic filter Further improve the color separation ability of WDM90 after 903.

On the second optical element 907 that the light reflected from dichroic filter 903 is incident on preferably concave mirror.Concave mirror 907 radius of curvature having are approximately equal to collimation optics 902 and the distance between the image close to condenser lens 905.Therefore, Concave mirror 907 generates the second image close to the collimation lens 902 of the second condenser lens 908.Concave mirror 907 and in lens 908 The light beam diameter having and collimation lens 902 and close between the first image of condenser lens 905 between second image at place Beam diameter it is roughly the same.Therefore relay imaging concave mirror 907 doubles collimated light beam path effectively, without expanding light Beam diameter.Again, the light beam for extending but collimating can easily be focused into hot spot, the hot spot less than 901 at light source hot spot. Second dichroic filter 909 be subsequently inserted into relay imaging concave mirror 790 and close to condenser lens 908 the second image it Between about middle position.Second dichroic filter 909 makes another in the received light beam in 901 place of position by WDM 90 One color band passes through, and the rest part of incident beam is reflected to be further processed.

As shown in Figure 25, additional relaying collimation optics 910,911,912,913 and dichroic filter 914, 915,916,917 can cascade in an identical manner to generate the multiple images close to condenser lens 918,919,920 and 921, this Each of a little images correspond to by WDM 90 the received light beam in position 1 specific color band.As shown in Figure 25, due to Relay structure is imaged in the 1:1 of the disclosure, and the hot spot caused by condenser lens 906,908,918,919,920 and 921 is both less than The hot spot of beam light source, therefore can easily be captured by small area APD.

Although Figure 25 shows the six port wavelength division multiplexers for the light beam from expansion light source, for this It is evident that the WDM with different number of port can easily be constructed according to the disclosure for technical staff in field. For those skilled in that art it is also apparent that although WDM90 it is preferable to use achromatic doublets as One collimation optics, but simple lens also can be used, reason is in 906,908,918,919,920 He of condenser lens The close monochrome of the image almost all that 921 fronts generate.Replace and is used to relay from dichroic filter reflection using concave mirror Dioptric system also can be used as relay element extend the path of collimated light beam in light beam.However make in WDM 90 The clear superiority of zigzag structure is to make it possible using array detector, this will lead to suitable for portable instrument More compact WDM.

Figure 26 shows the ray tracing of prior art collimator apparatus.Technology shown in Figure 26 is widely used in traditional In multicolor fluorescence instrument, for example, the multicolor fluorescence instrument in the United States Patent (USP) of serial number 6,683,314.As shown in Figure 26, It is more than to be formed by image 924 by collimation optics 923 that light beam, which rapidly dissipates,.As a result, for constructing polychrome device only One selection is inserted into dichroic filter between collimating element 923 and its image 924.

Due to the limitation of etendue conservation, the diameter of collimated light beam must significantly be extended so that multiple dichroism to filter Device is contained in the section.Expanded light beam is for being focused into collimated light beam again suitable for small area semiconductor detector Small light spot constitutes significant challenge.In order to overcome these difficulties, the selection of some apparatus manufacturers using Mt dedicated for fluorescence detection, Such as by Becton-Dickinson, the mainstream flow cytometer of Becman Coulter and Partec manufacture and by GE The DNA sorting unit of the MegaBACE series of Amersham manufacture.Other Instruments such as Luminex multiplexes bead analyzer tool There is the specific color band of seleced known bright fluorescence, and detects the light in selected color band using large area APD.

Figure 27 shows the alternate embodiment of six port WDM 90 of the combination using zigzag arrangement and branch configuration Perspective view.The design is the modification of zigzag arrangement shown in Figure 25.In the alternate embodiment shown in Figure 27, figure 25 bandpass filter 904 is replaced by dichroic filter 904'.Filter 904' is positioned to allow for a kind of color to pass through, and with 90 degree of (90 °) other colors of reflection.The optical path length of light beam by dichroic filter 904' and from 904' reflection It is substantially the same, so that an arm is focused by lens 905 and another arm by lens 905' is focused into small light spot, the hot spot It is compatible with the small area semiconductor detector for being placed on focal position 906 and 906'.As shown in Figure 25, by dichroic filter The remaining color of 903 light reflected is by 907 relay imaging of concave mirror, and including optical element 903,904', 905 and 905' Configuration cascade again two (2) it is secondary with formed six ports WDM.

Figure 28 shows the perspective view of the alternate embodiment of 8 port WDM 90.By with concave shape dichroic filter Concave surface relay imaging reflecting mirror 907 and 910 in 907' and 910' alternate figures 27, WDM and Figure 25 and Figure 27 shown in Figure 28 Shown in WDM compared to more provide two color bands.

It has developed for many years and has been suitable for the countless fluorescent probes used in flow cytometer.Recently, a variety of fluorescence eggs White matter has also become the important tool in biomedical research.In order to adapt to different types of fluorescent probe, develop multinomial Technology is suitable for the dichroic filter of its specific needs to allow a user to select.It filters for replaceable dichroism One significant challenge of device is that coated filter surface is avoided to connect with the direct of any hard flow cytometer reference frame Touching.Directly contacting between coated filter surface and any hard reference frame repeatedly may be damaged replaceable two Color optical filter.Currently, solving the problems, such as that this most of traditional solution uses precision machined mechanical spacer to incite somebody to action Replaceable dichroic filter is fixed.The U.S. that one example of this solution appears in serial number 6,683,314 is special In benefit.However, such solution becomes unreliable if the active area of detector is less than 1.0 square millimeters.

Figure 29 A and Figure 29 B show manufacture and are suitable for dichroism replaceable shown in Figure 29 C of small area detector Filter combination part 934.The assembling of replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly 934 starts from Figure 29 A, and it illustrates buildings to be used for Its reference template prepared.The reference template is the trapezoidal sky being made of the glass plate 925 and 926 of a optical parallel in two (2) Between.Being bonded together a glass plate 925 and 926 in two (2) with optical contact ensures that a surface 929 of glass plate 925 becomes Optical parallel is in the surface of glass plate 926 930.Then the front surface 932 of replaceable dichroic filter 927 is pressed against template Surface 929.The optical filter retainer 928 for being loosely fitted into dichroic filter 927 includes reference surface 931 and optical filter slot 933.In the assembling process of replaceable dichroic filter, optical filter slot 933 is partially filled with epoxy resin bonding Agent, and the reference surface 931 of optical filter retainer 928 is pressed against the surface 930 of template, and 928 direction of optical filter retainer Dichroic filter 927 is slided.When epobond epoxyn solidification, a part of dichroic filter 927 remains in filter In light device slot 933, while applying pressure against dichroic filter 927 and filter-holder 928.For in the art It will be clear that epobond epoxyn can be UV solidifies or heat cure for technical staff, or by by A/B mixture Ingredient be blended into and come together to be made.Figure 29 C shows as shown in Figure 29 A and Figure 29 B and prepares as described above E934~.Shown in Figure 29 A and Figure 29 B and above-mentioned assembling process ensures replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly 934 front surface 932 will optical parallel in reference surface 931, and at the exactly determined interval of thickness by glass plate 925 Under be recessed relative to the latter, that is, reference surface 931.

Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B show embodiment of the disclosure, wherein replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly above-mentioned 934 use in WDM 90 optically to handle the light beam from expansion light source.A distinguishing feature of WDM 90 is that have The reference glass block 935 on optically flat surface.As will be evident for those skilled in that art, glass Reference block 935 can be made of other materials.As shown in Figure 30 B, when installing dichroic filter 927, replaceable two The reference surface 931 of color filter combination part 934, which slides and passed through against the flat surfaces of reference glass block 935, loads bullet The holding of screw 936 of spring is in contact with it.Therefore, the coated front surface of the replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly 934 932 holding optical parallels in optical flat and are accurately located.Meanwhile front surface 932 is relative to the recessed of the reference surface 931 Into protection, it is not physically contacted during replacing optical filter with any object.

For those skilled in that art it is evident that the replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly The many modifications and variations that 934 embodiment carries out are possible.For example, the alternate embodiment of the disclosure is using the first He The pedestal of second circular optical plate assembling.When assembling replaceable dichroic filter sub-assembly 934, optical filter retainer Reference surface placed against the surface of the first optical flat and the surface on the coated surface of dichroic filter is against the The flat surfaces of two optical flats are placed.Then epobond epoxyn keeps the coated surface optical of dichroic filter flat Row is in the reference surface of optical filter retainer, but the recessed distance being accurately determined by the thickness of the second optical flat.

Industrial applicibility

Although the disclosure of the optical system based on LD of the application for flow cytometry has had been described in detail Embodiment, be also directed to the flow cytometer based on liquid stream and described equally advantageously embodiment, but in the art It is evident that for those of ordinary skill, in the principle and reason for not departing from the disclosure as proposed in the claims In the case where thought many modifications and variations can be made to the embodiment according to the above instruction.

Although the wavelength-division for the light beam from expansion light source to be separated into multiple color bands has had been described in detail Other several equally advantageously embodiments have also been described in the embodiment of the present disclosure of multiplex machine, but for this field For interior those of ordinary skill it is evident that, do not depart from the principle of the disclosure as proposed in the claims and In the case where theory many modifications and variations can be made to the embodiment according to the above instruction.

Although with currently preferred embodiments, invention has been described it should be appreciated that it is this disclose it is pure Essence is exemplary and is not necessarily to be construed as restrictive.Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, originally In field technical staff will suggest making various changes the disclosure without doubt after reading aforementioned disclosure, modify and/ Or alternate application.Therefore, following claims intention is interpreted as including all changes in disclosure true spirit and range More, modification or alternate application.

Claims (19)

1. a kind of flow cytometer with wavelength division multiplexer WDM, the WDM include:

Expansion light source provides the light for forming object；

Collimation optics capture the light from the expansion light source and project the enlarged drawing of the object as the first light Beam；And

First focusing optic, being configured to focus first light beam is that size is less than and is incident on the first semiconductor detector The expansion light source the object.

2. flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein first focusing optic is configured to focus described One light beam is diameter dimension less than 1.0 millimeters.

3. flow cytometer according to claim 1 further comprises image relay optical element, it is arranged as receiving institute State the color band of the first light beam concern, described image relay optics are configured to the second image of projection as the second light beam, Described in the second light beam and first light beam substantially have the same diameter.

4. flow cytometer according to claim 3, wherein described image relay optics be diffractive optical devices and One of concave mirror.

5. flow cytometer according to claim 3, wherein described image relay optics be radius of curvature about etc. In the concave mirror of the distance between the collimation optics and its enlarged drawing projected.

6. flow cytometer according to claim 3 further comprises the second focusing optic, it is configured to focus institute Stating the second light beam is that size is less than the object for being incident on the expansion light source of the second semiconductor detector.

7. flow cytometer according to claim 6, wherein the collimation optics and described first focus optics member Optics road between optical path length between part and described image relay optics and second focusing optic Electrical path length is substantially the same.

8. flow cytometer according to claim 3, wherein described image relay optics are the filters of concave shape dichroism Light device.

It further comprise being placed on the collimation optics and described the 9. flow cytometer according to claim 3 Dichroic filter between one focusing optic.

10. flow cytometer according to claim 9, wherein the collimation optics and described first focus optics member Optical path length and the collimation optics, the dichroic filter and described image relay optics between part Between optical path length it is substantially the same.

11. flow cytometer according to claim 9, wherein the dichroic filter is adhered to optical filter retainer, So that the coated filter surface of the dichroic filter is recessed and optical parallel is in the ginseng of the optical filter retainer Examine surface.

12. flow cytometer according to claim 11, wherein the reference surface of the optical filter retainer against Optically flat surface including the reference block in WDM is placed, and is mentioned when so that the dichroic filter being mounted in WDM For consistent optical alignment.

13. flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the object is by the light by pin hole and from multimode fibre A formation in the light that facet is emitted.

14. flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein focused by first focusing optic described first The size of light beam is roughly the same with the effective dimensions of the collimation optics.

15. flow cytometer according to claim 1, wherein the size of the enlarged drawing of the object compares institute The size for stating the object of expansion light source is about ten times small.

It, will be by described compound 16. flow cytometer according to claim 1 further comprises compound microscope object lens The light of the particle emission in flow channel in the observation area of micro objective is directed to the expansion light source, and the particle is by shining Light irradiation is penetrated, the compound microscope object lens include:

Spherical mirror positioned at the first side of the observation area, the spherical mirror are configured to reflect the light of the transmitting, and

Positioned at the aberration corrector plate of second side of the observation area opposite with first side, the aberration corrector plate is matched It is set to the optical aberration reduced in the reflected light as caused by the spherical mirror.

17. flow cytometer according to claim 16 further comprises fluid system, it is configured to supply in liquid sheath To the flow channel, the fluid system has T-type connector arrangement, is configured to receive the liquid sheath from storage tank And it is configured to the first fraction of the liquid sheath be led back to the storage tank via bypass manifold and by the liquid sheath Second fraction leads back to the flow channel.

18. flow cytometer according to claim 16 further comprises peristaltic pump, it is configured to supply liquor sample To the flow channel, the peristaltic pump include the pump case with arc-shaped bend track formed therein, multiple rollers and The compressible tube being folded between the roller and the arc-shaped bend track, the arc-shaped bend track further comprises: being located at At least one recessed section between at least two pumping sections of the arc-shaped bend track.

19. flow cytometer according to claim 16 further comprises laser beam compression optical element, is configured to compress Along the irradiation light of the axis in the direction perpendicular to the flow channel.